Role of rural electrification in development. [Monograph]

Book · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6024233

Cecelski, E; Glatt, S

The high capital costs of rural-electrification suggest that the assumption that the benefits experienced in developed countries can be duplicated in developing countries is questionable. This review of major issues involved in rural electrification examines the equity side of the socio-economic impacts of major projects in India and Colombia to see if cheap electricity can, with careful planning, become a stimulus for potential entrepreneurs. While the analysis identifies the need for systematic studies to establish the connection between rural electrification and development, the evidence does show that consumption is lower in rural areas both in the amount of electricity used and the percentage of people using it. Direct benefits occur in the productive sector, although the importance of availability and reliability over cost challenges the value of subsidies. Price does appear to be a major factor for small farmers in addition to credit availability and marketing. 45 references, 26 tables. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 6024233
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
296000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320600 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- (1980-)
530100 -- Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies-- Social & Economic Studies-- (-1989)
ASIA
COLOMBIA
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ELECTRIC POWER
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDIA
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LATIN AMERICA
POWER
RURAL AREAS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SOUTH AMERICA